As with any new product I am being asked for proof that PAR+ works. Ok, fair enough, so I am presenting some of the data developed during my research into 5-Aminolevulinic acid, the active ingredient in PAR+.
In the first stage of photosynthesis, called the Light Dependant Reactions, photons from light are converted into two forms of chemical energy called ATP and NADPH. But, not all of the energy from photons is used in photosynthesis. Excess energy is lost either as heat or fluorescence (Fig 1.) and, after some calculations, it can be seen where the energy losses are occurring due to biotic or abiotic stress. The most useful parameters to measure plant stress are:
Fv/Fm and QYmax: Maximum efficiency of photosynthesis. Good indicators of overall photoinhibition or chronic stress.
∅PSII (Fq'/Fm'): PSII operating efficiency of linear electron transport rate Useful for detecting reductions in photosynthetic efficiency under light.
Non-photochemical Quenching (NPQ): Estimates the rate constant of heat loss from PSII, and indicates the plant’s protective response to excess light.
Electron Transfer Rate (ETR): Linear electron transport rate. Reflects the rate of photosynthetic activity, with reductions indicating possible inhibition due to stress.
How do we measure these parameters? During the development of PAR+ I used a Chlorophyll Fluorescence imaging machine at the University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Plant Research Centre, as in the Figs. 2 & 3 below.
The Results:
Top-left: Fv/Fm measures the potential maximum efficiency of PSII photochemistry, a good indicator of overall photoinhibition or chronic stress, and photosynthesis becomes less efficient the higher the light intensity. This chart shows that in all light levels PAR+ treated turf (green bars) had a higher maximum efficiency of photosynthesis than non-treated turf.
Top-right: The Electron Transfer Rate (ETR) provides an estimate of the rate of electron transport through PSII, i.e. speed of photosynthesis. Lower ETR values suggest that photosynthetic electron transport is being inhibited due to stress. The chart shows that 10 days after treatment with PAR+, treated turf had a consistanly higher ETR than non-treated at all light levels.
Bottom-left: ΦPSII measures the efficiency of PSII under real-world lighting conditions. Lower values suggest that the plant is less efficient at converting light into chemical energy. This chart shows that PAR+ treated turf (yellow bars) is more efficient at converting light into chemical energy in all light conditions, i.e. the plant produces more energy for carbohydrate production.
Bottom-right: QYmax - provides insight into the maximum potential photochemical efficiency in the absence of light, showing how well the photosynthetic system can theoretically function. The results show that, following a dip on Day 6 after treatment due to excessive heat stress, in Treated plots in 50% shade QYmax recovered and reached the same value as plots in full sunlight.
So, having seen the science behind PAR+ you can order with confidence.
Contact us using code PARplus and receive a 10% disocunt on the purchase price.
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